‘The Big Blockade’

Around 800 people blockaded Faslane Naval Base on Feb 12th. The event, organised by Trident Ploughshares (TP2000) and Scottish CND, was the largest anti-nuclear action in Scotland for decades. A convoy of coaches arrived at 7am to find the South Gate already blocked with tripods. Another structure was then assembled comprising locked-on people, bicycles, metal tubes, chicken wire and fabric. The police were confused and the entrance blocked for 10 hours. The North Gate was shut for 6 hours by assorted lock-ons, wheelchairs and many more bodies. A third gate was blocked when it was later found to be in use.

There were 385 arrests for breach of peace. Several young Irish women had a bad time of it when they were strip-searched: this was seen as racist behaviour.

Contact TP2000 42-46 Bethel St Norwich, NR2 1NR, 01324 880744
tp2000@gn.apc.org
www.tridentploughshares.org